Dubrovnik has good access to emergency medical care, pharmacies and a general hospital, but summer heat, strong sun, insect bites and minor swimming injuries are common practical health concerns for visitors. This guide covers emergency numbers, Dubrovnik General Hospital, night pharmacies, health insurance and simple precautions that can help during your stay in Dubrovnik.
Emergency medical help in Dubrovnik
For a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, call 194. Croatia's general emergency number 112 can also connect you with emergency medical services, police, fire, mountain rescue or maritime rescue as needed.
Examples of situations that require urgent medical help include severe breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, serious injury, sudden chest pain, severe bleeding or other conditions where someone's life or health may be in immediate danger.
Do not rely on estimated ambulance response times. Response depends on the emergency, traffic, location and available teams.
Dubrovnik General Hospital
Dubrovnik General Hospital (Opća bolnica Dubrovnik) is the city's main hospital and serves Dubrovnik and the wider Dubrovnik-Neretva region.
The hospital's unified emergency department is open 24 hours a day, every day. Patients requiring urgent hospital care can arrive by emergency ambulance, be referred by a doctor or report directly to the emergency department.
- Address: Dr. Roka Mišetića 2, 20000 Dubrovnik
- Hospital switchboard: +385 20 431 777
- Emergency department: open 00:00-24:00
- Official website: Dubrovnik General Hospital
Pharmacies and night pharmacy duty in Dubrovnik
Pharmacies are easy to find during the day in Dubrovnik, including in the Old Town, Gruž and Lapad. Overnight pharmacy service is provided through an alternating duty system rather than both main pharmacies remaining open 24 hours every night.
The official Dubrovnik pharmacy service currently operates:
- Day duty: 07:00-20:00
- Night duty: 20:00-07:00 the following morning
Night duty alternates by week between Ljekarna Kod Zvonika in the Old Town and Ljekarna Gruž. Check the current official duty schedule before travelling across the city at night.
Ljekarna Kod Zvonika
Address: Placa 4, Old Town
Phone: +385 20 321 133
One of the two pharmacies participating in Dubrovnik's overnight duty rota.
Ljekarna Gruž
Address: Obala pape Ivana Pavla II 9
Phone: +385 20 418 990
Convenient for Gruž Port, the main bus station and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Check the current Dubrovnik pharmacy duty schedule
Health insurance and EHIC in Croatia
EU, EEA, Switzerland and UK visitors
If you are insured through an eligible public health system in the EU, European Economic Area, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, an EHIC or Provisional Replacement Certificate can give you access to medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in Croatia.
The treatment must generally be provided by a doctor or healthcare facility contracted with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO). Treatment is provided under the same conditions that apply to people insured in Croatia, which means some participation charges can still apply.
EHIC covers healthcare that becomes medically necessary during your temporary stay, including treatment related to existing or chronic conditions when it cannot reasonably wait until you return home. It does not cover a trip whose purpose is planned medical treatment.
EHIC is also not a replacement for travel insurance. Travel insurance can cover costs that public healthcare arrangements do not, including some private treatment, repatriation, cancellations and other travel-related expenses.
Official HZZO information for visitors using healthcare in Croatia
Visitors from other countries
Coverage depends on your home country. Croatia has bilateral healthcare arrangements with several countries outside the EU/EEA system, while visitors from other countries may need to pay for treatment and claim reimbursement from their insurer.
Check your own health and travel insurance before leaving home rather than assuming treatment will be covered automatically.
Common health issues for visitors
Most health problems travellers encounter in Dubrovnik are the same practical issues found in other hot Mediterranean destinations: heat, strong sun, dehydration, mosquitoes, ticks in greener areas and minor cuts or stings while swimming.
Heat, sun and dehydration
Dubrovnik can be extremely hot in summer, particularly during the middle of the day. Carry water, use shade, wear a hat and use appropriate sun protection. If possible, plan demanding sightseeing such as the City Walls for the morning or later afternoon rather than the hottest part of the day.
Take symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, fainting, severe weakness or difficulty staying hydrated seriously. Move to a cooler place and seek medical help if symptoms are severe or do not improve.
Mosquitoes and ticks
Mosquitoes are common during the warmer months. Repellent, light clothing that covers exposed skin in the evening and mosquito screens can reduce bites.
Ticks can be encountered in grass, scrub and countryside around southern Croatia. If you are hiking or spending time in overgrown areas, use repellent where appropriate and check your skin and clothing afterwards. If you develop a spreading rash, fever or other illness after a tick bite, contact a doctor.
Sea urchins
Sea urchins are common around rocky sections of the Adriatic coast. Water shoes can reduce the risk of stepping directly on them.
If a spine becomes deeply embedded, breaks under the skin or causes persistent pain, swelling, redness or signs of infection, seek medical advice. Do not cut into the skin or attempt invasive removal with blades.. Applying warm olive oil to a sea urchin sting helps soften and lubricate the skin, making it easier to slide out stubborn, shallow spines.
Jellyfish and other marine stings
Jellyfish can appear periodically in the Adriatic. If you are stung, leave the water and avoid rubbing or scratching the affected area. Ask a lifeguard, pharmacist or medical professional for advice if pain is significant.
Call 194 or 112 for breathing difficulty, collapse, severe swelling or another serious reaction after a sting or bite.
Food safety in Dubrovnik
Use the same food-safety precautions you would elsewhere in Europe, especially during very hot weather:
- Choose food that has been properly stored and is served at an appropriate temperature.
- Be cautious with food that has been left unrefrigerated for long periods in hot weather.
- Wash fresh fruit and vegetables when preparing food yourself.
- If you have food allergies, tell restaurant staff clearly before ordering.
- Seek medical help for severe dehydration, blood in stool, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain or other concerning symptoms.
Can you drink tap water in Dubrovnik?
Yes. Dubrovnik tap water is normally safe to drink. Dubrovnik Waterworks regularly monitors the public supply, and laboratory results published on 20 August 2026 confirmed that water from the Dubrovnik area's main sources complies with drinking-water standards and is safe for consumption.
Refilling a reusable bottle is therefore a good option while sightseeing. As anywhere, temporary local problems can occasionally occur after maintenance work or an isolated water-quality issue, so follow any current notice from Vodovod Dubrovnik if one is issued for a particular neighbourhood.
When should you seek medical help?
Call 194 or 112 for a life-threatening emergency or serious deterioration in someone's health.
For less urgent problems, a pharmacy can often help with minor ailments and advise whether you should see a doctor. If symptoms are worsening, persistent or concerning, seek professional medical assessment rather than relying on online travel advice.
Useful health contacts in Dubrovnik
- General emergency number: 112
- Emergency medical help: 194
- Dubrovnik General Hospital: +385 20 431 777
- Ljekarna Kod Zvonika: +385 20 321 133
- Ljekarna Gruž: +385 20 418 990